Train order delivery means



March 24, 1942. c PRATT 2,277,353

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY MEANS Filed June 18, 1941 I u, 19 ITLJQTIIET A arr [T'frafi Patented Mar. 24, 1942 TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY MEANS Harry G. Pratt, Miles City, Mont., assignor of one-half to Nels Hamre, Miles City, Mont.

Application June 18, 1941, Serial No. 398,555

9 Claims. (01. 258-2) This invention relates to improvements in train order delivery means and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

There are several types of train order delivery means, each of which includes parts for holding one or more orders or messages or the like in a position to be easily grasped and removed therefrom, by certain members of a train crew, as the train passes by. When such means is of the telescopic mast type it vusually includes telescopic sections whereby during a period of use, the parts for holding the order or message may be disposed at that elevation, mostv convenient for grasping by a member of the loco motive crew. The present invention is more especially concerned with a means of the telescopic mast type just above mentioned.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement of parts in a means of this kind whereby the upper mast section, which is telescopically engaged with the next lower one, may be conveniently projected and retracted from one position to the other, manually by an attendant standing adjacent the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide means of this kind whereby the mast sections are mounted for a joint limited turning motion so that the act of remfoving one order or message, by one train crew member, turns the mast to dispose another message in a position for removal by another train crew member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved structure for a means of this kind whereby the mast sections are locked together against relative movement when they are in either the projected or in the contracted position.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure for use in a means of this kind whereby the mast sections may be readily disassembled for storage during periods of nonuse and may be as readily assembled for a period of use by an inexperienced person, without the .aid of tools of any kind,

be quickly but rigidly attached to the desired mast section and may be as quickly detached therefrom without requiring the manipulation of screws, bolts, pins and analogous devices.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as the specification proceeds. I

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a train order delivery means embodying one form of the invention when the telescopic parts of the mast are in their extended position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical detail sectional view through the base end of the mast on an enlarged scale, as taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal detail sectional view through the base end of the mast, on the scale of Fig. 3 and as taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical detail sectional View through a part of the mast, on a scale enlarged over that of Fig. l and as taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, illustrating a certain tapering tongue and socket arrangement whereby the order or message holding arms may be detachably applied to one of v the mast sections and held against lateral movement with respect to that section.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the improved means embodies therein an upright mast which includes a lower section It and an upper section II having a telescopic engagement, the lower section having a height approximating that which an ordinary man may reach while standing adjacent the same.

Both sections are herein shown as being formed .of round tubin with the upper section having such an inside diameter as tov match substantially the outside diameter of the lower section to provide a relatively snug sliding fit between the two.

The bottom end of the lower section III fits in a recess (see Fig. 2) formed in a block I! and said lower section may be welded to the upper end of the block as indicated at IZa in Fig. 2. The block includes a depending annular flange or skirt l3 which encloses the upper end of an upright annular body l4 fixed to a base flange 14a of substantial area. By means of this base flange, the mast as a whole, may be fixed rigidly in position adjacent a railroad track. The body I4 is provided axially with an upwardly opening recess 15 and the bottom of said recess is coned to provide a seat for a ball Hi. The block l2 has a central extension I! that fits in the recess l5 and carries the ball to provide an antifriction thrust bearing between the block l5 and base body l4 whereby the mast as a whole may easily turn through a limited arc, under certain conditions hereinafter appearing.

In one side of the body I4 is provided an arouate slot l8 of about 90 in extent, as appears in Fig. 3. A screw I9, which is threaded in a hole in the skirt l3 of the block l2, has an unthreaded end portion 2| that extends into said slot. This arrangement prevents axial separation between the block and baseand at the .same time limits the turning action ofthe block on the base to the extent as permitted by said slot 18. The body I4 is formed with an axial opening 22 of small diameter wherebylsuch waterof condensation as may accumulate in the recess l5 may drain therefrom. The skirt l3 of the block I 2 islprovided with diametrically opposite arms23 to which flexible members 24 may be attached and whereby the-mastas awhole may be turned by an attendant,.stationed remote from the mast. In .one side of the lower mast section are upper and lower holes 25 and 26 '(see Figs. 4 and 1 respectively), the purpose of which will appear later.

The upper mast section II which telescopes upon or slides over the lower mast section III is provided at the top end with a cap 21. A closed hand hold 28 is fixed to one side of the bottom end of the upper mast' section II. This hand hold carries a spring pressed pin 29 having a stem- 30 which is of such length as to project through a hole 3| in theside of said mast section and extend-into-either one or the other of the holes 25 or 26 in the lower mast section Hi. When thehand hold is grasped,-the pin may be disposed between the fingers of the hand and may be withdrawn outwardly of the upper mast section so as to release the stem-30-from the hole- 25 or 26 in which it may be engaged, according to whether the mast section II is in its-extended or in its retracted position. When the stem 30 is releasedby the fingers of the grasping hand,

said pin is projected inwardly by its associated spring.

On another. side of the upper mast section II there are attached plates 32 and 33 respectively, one near its top end and the other near its bot tom end. The plate 32 is provided with pairs of overhangingflanges 34, whichtaper downwardly and inwardly toward each other to .form a tongue receiving groove or socket.35, the said. grooves in said plate. being spaced. about 90 apart circumferentially. The plate. 33 is provided with only a single pair of such flanges, which define only a single. groove or socket '35.

Each groove or socket isadapted to receive from its top end, a complemental wedging tongue 36 fixed on the inner end of an order. or message holding arm 31. The outer end of said arm may be provided with any suitable device to hold an order ormessage in such a-manner that when the order or message is grasped by one of the crew of a passing train, that orderormessage is detached from saidrmeans. A device such as appears in United States Patent'No. 1,902,669, of March 21, 1933, maywell be used with the construction thus far described. 'It includes the arm 31 just mentioned which carries at its outer end a head 33 having sockets to receive the inner ends of diverging rods--39- 39. The head is also provided between said socketswith a cord holding spring-like tongue 40. The other ends of the diverging rods are suitably notched so that mid parts of a cord or string 4| may be engaged therein with end parts thereof releasably engaged under the tongue 40. That part of said cord or string between the outer ends of said rods has secured thereto the order or message and the like 42 it is desired to deliver to one of the crew of a passing train. For ease in future reference, I will refer to said arms as arm AB-C respectively.

When the upper section of the mast is in its extended position, the upper arms AB are disposed at an elevation whereby one of the locomotive crew may easily reach the message from the window of the cab. The lower arm C is disposed at that elevation whereby one of the train crew may easily reach the message while standing on the steps or platforms of one of the cars in the train.

In periods between use, the arms A-B and C are removed from the upper section II of the mat, by lifting the wedge tongues 36 of said arms from their grooves or sockets on the plates 32-'33. At this time, the upper mast section is in its retracted-position on the lower one so that the bottom end of the said section rests upon the top end of the block l2 and the pin extension 30 is disposed in the hole 25 to lock the mast sections together.

Assume that it is desired to deliver an order to the engine crews of a double header, locomotive drawn train, and to the conductor of that train who may be riding one of the cars of that train,

An attendant such as a way station agent, having received orders for the train in any suitable manner, applies an order or message 42 by means .of the cord 4| as before described, tolthe arms 31 of each holder. While the upper section of the mast is in its retracted position upon the lower one, he applies a holder to each groove or socket 35 of the plates 3233 on the upper section by inserting the wedge tongue 36 of each holder in the appropriate groove or socket.

When the train is known to have a double header locomotive and the usual conductor, a message holder is applied to each groove or socket 35 in the upper plate 32 and only one holder is applied to the groove or socket in the lower plate 33.

The attendant then grasps the handhold 28 with one hand and with the fingers of that hand retracts the spring pressed pin 29 to release the same from the bottom hole 26 in the lowermost mast section In. The attendant then slides the upper mast section upwardly on the lower one into its extended position and when the pin 29 reaches the hole 25 in the upper end of the lowermost section l0, it snaps thereinto and thus locks the mast in the extended position as well as locks said mast sections together so that they will turn as one.

When the mast sections are locked together, as mentioned, the arm A in Fig. 1 will be disposed at a right angle to the track and the arms B and C will be disposed parallel with the track and will face in the direction of the oncoming train. By reason of the antifriction thrust hearing as afiorded by the ball 16, the mast turns quite easily and should the weather be so windy as to turn the mast out of the positionmentioned. it maybe held in position against the force of the wind by the attendant through the use of the flexible member 25. Should there be no wind tending to turn the mast, the mast will stand in this position.

As the first locomotive of the passing train nears the order or message holding means, one of the crew reaches outwardly and grasps the message on its holding cord of the arm A and the pull thereon as the first locomotive passes, causes the mast to turn to the limit afforded by the slot l3'to dispose the arm: A parallel with the track and to dispose the arms B and C at a right angle to the track ready for the crew member of the second locomotive to grab the order or message or its cord on the arm B. As the mast has reached the limit of its turning movement, the arm C remains in its position ready for the conductor, some cars back, to grab the order or message supported thereby as that car passes the mast.

After the train has passed, the attendant grasps the handhold 28 and simultaneously therewith releases the pin 29 fromthe upper hole 25 and the upper section is pulled downwardly to its retracted position as before and the arms A, B and C removed, as previously mentioned. In order to prevent the formation of a vacuous condition in the upper section when extending the same and to prevent the formation of an air cushion in the upper section II when retracting the same, I may provide a relatively small air bleeding hole in the upper end of the upper section ID. This hole may have a small downwardly facing elbow 43 (see Fig. 1) fixed thereto in order to prevent entrance of rain or other moisture into the upper section.

After the upper section has been retracted, the arms A, B and C may be removed and the mast left standing by the wayside, devoid of arms so that it presents no hazard to crews of other passing trains. If desired, the screw I9 may be removed and the two mast sections l and II along with the block I2 may be removed from the base. Thus, all of the device may be safely stored, leaving only the base at the wayside which contains nothing with which any one would desire to tamper.

The device is simple in construction for low cost production and as the uppermost section telescopes over the lower one, no water or other moisture can enter between the same and no sliding seals need be provided therebetween.

While in describing the invention I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Means of the kind described embodying therein a relatively high upright member, means associated with the lower end portion thereof for holding the same in an upright position, a mast member telescopically engaged with the upper end portion of said upright member and movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect thereto, and means carried by the mast member and disposed in a position to be conveniently grasped by the hand of a person adjacent said upright member for manually extending and retracting said mast member, said means including parts adapted to be manipulated by said hand in a manner locking the mast member when in its extended position, to the upright member against relative movement.

2. Means of the kind described embodying therein a relatively high upright member, means associated with the lower end portion thereof for holding the same in an upright position, a mast member telescopically engaged with the upper end portion of said upright member and movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect thereto, means carried by the mast member and disposed in a position to be conveniently grasped by the hand of a person adjacent said upright member for manually extending and retracting said mast member, and spring pressed means and associated with said last mentioned means for locking said mast member to said upright member when in either its extended or retracted position with respect thereto, said spring pressed means being capable of manipulation by said hand to release the mast member from the upright member when in either of said positions.

3. Means of the kind described embodying therein a relatively high upright member, means providing a base including an upright body member, means on the bottom end of said upright member, said body member and said means having coacting parts forming a rotative bearing therebetween, a pin and slot connection between said body member and said means which limits the amount of rotative movement therebetween and at the same time holds said body member and said means against axial separation, a mast member telescopically engaged with the upper end portion of said upright member and movable from a retracted to an extended position with respect thereto, and means for locking said mast member to said upright member while in one of said positions against relative longitudinal and turning movements.

4. Means of the kind described embodying therein a relatively high upright member, a base, interengaging means carried by said base and the lower end portion of said upright member respectively for holding the latter in its upright position while permitting a limited turning movement with respect to the base member, a mast member telescopically engaged with the upper end portion of said upright member and movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect thereto, a handhold carried by the mast member and disposed in a position to be conveniently grasped by the hand of a person adjacent the upright member for manually extending and retracting the mast member, and means associated with the handhold and adapted to be manipulated by said hand in a manner looking the mast member when it is in its extended position, to the upright member against relative movement.

5. Means of the kind described embodying therein a relatively high upright member, means associated with the lower end portion thereof for holding the same in an upright position, a mast member telescopically engaged upon and normally surrounding a part of said relatively high upright member and movable from a retracted position to an extended position thereon, and means carried by said mast member and projecting laterally therefrom and adapted to be manually grasped by the hand of a person adjacent said upright member for manually extending and retracting said mast member, said means on said mast member including a retractable spring pressed element for locking the mast member while in its extended position to said upright member.

6. Means of the kind described and embodying therein .a base including'an upright body portion, an upright member, means providing a thrust bearing for the lower end of said upright member with respect to said body portion of the base, said body portion being formed with a slot therein, and means carried by said upright member and arranged to engage either end of said slot to limit the turning movement and the axial movement of said upright member with respect to said body portion of the base.

7. Means of the kind described embodying therein a base including an upright body portion, an upright member, a block like member fixed to the bottom portion of the upright member and enclosing the upper portion of said body portion, said body portion having an arcuate slot therein, coasting means on said member and said body portion providing a thrust bearing for said upright member with respect to the base, and means carried by said block-like member and having a portion extending into said slot for coacting therewith in limiting the turning movement of the upright member on the base and for preventing longitudinal separation between said upright member and the base.

8 In a means of the kind described, the com bination of an upright member, a message supporting member extending laterally therefrom, and interengaging male and female parts on said members and whereby said message supporting member may be attached to and detached from said upright member by moving said supporting member substantially longitudinally of said upright member.

9. In a means of the kind described, the com bination of an upright member, a message supporting member extending laterally therefrom, said members carrying coacting parts of a tapering tongue and socket connection and whereby said message supporting member may be attached to and detached from said upright member by moving said supporting member substantially longitudinally of said upright member.

HARRY C. PRA'I'I. 

